Kanye West has taken fans by surprise once again with the release of his new album ‘Bully’ on streaming platforms, but there’s a twist that no one saw coming.
Over the weekend, Kanye West unveiled an unfinished version of his latest album ‘Bully’ as a 45-minute music video on YouTube and Apple Music. But this isn’t just any music video — it’s the same short film he leaked last week during one of his infamous social media tirades.
Shot in black-and-white, the video, titled ‘BULLY V1,’ offers a unique visual experience following Kanye’s nine-year-old son, Saint, as he swings a mallet against waves of wrestlers in a ring. The intense cinematic scene was created by Ye himself and edited by the renowned Hype Williams.
Where the streaming release gets interesting is in the album’s musical content. Instead of the ten tracks originally intended, ‘BULLY V1’ features just nine songs. The track ‘Melrose,’ which initially included Playboi Carti and Ty Dolla $ign, was cut after Kanye had a falling out with the two artists.
Additionally, the album’s tracklist has been reshuffled, offering listeners a new experience. The sole feature on this version comes from Mexican star Peso Pluma, who joins Kanye on the track ‘Last Breath,’ where Kanye, in a surprise move, raps partially in Spanish.
This album edition is rich with vintage soul samples, emotional loops, and dusty, boom bap drum tracks reminiscent of a classic Griselda record. It’s hailed as some of Kanye’s best production work in years. However, half of the vocals were recorded using AI technology, as Kanye himself admitted, leaving some fans curious about the creative decision.
Kanye had previously announced that the official release of ‘Bully’ was planned for June 15 to celebrate his daughter North’s birthday. Yet, with his recent musings about potentially boycotting streaming services, it’s unclear if this plan will stick.
Further shrouding the future of Kanye’s projects are the unknowns around the third installment of his ‘Vultures’ trilogy with Ty Dolla $ign. Their relationship has cooled, with Kanye recently taking shots at Ty and others in the industry. It’s uncertain how these dynamics will affect future collaborations.
Kanye West continues to captivate and confound fans with his unpredictable artistic maneuvers. While ‘Bully’ V1 offers a glimpse into his current creative mindset, the full story may only be revealed in time. Until then, listeners can dive into this new chapter of Kanye’s ever-evolving musical journey.
